Norwood, Rhode Island facts for kids
Norwood is a neighborhood located in the city of Warwick, Rhode Island. It's a friendly area bordered by important roads like Route 37 and Elmwood Avenue, as well as the beautiful Pawtuxet River and Post Road. These borders show the area that was once served by a fire station, which is now where the Norwood Boys & Girls Club stands.
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History of Norwood
Norwood was officially started in 1874. A company called Niles B. Schubarth & Co., who were experts in designing landscapes and mapping land, were hired by Nathan D. Pierce. Their job was to plan and lay out all the streets in the new neighborhood.
Around the same time, a train station was built. This was a big deal because it connected Norwood directly to the city of Providence, making travel much easier. In the 1880s, Norwood became even more connected when Elmwood Avenue was extended. This road now stretched from Cranston, crossed the Pawtuxet River, and reached Post Road.
Development in Norwood really started to pick up in the 1890s. This was largely because the Gorham Manufacturing Co., a big company, moved its operations to nearby Cranston. This brought more people and jobs to the area, helping Norwood grow.
Important Places in Norwood
Norwood is home to several important buildings and community spots.
Norwood School
The first Norwood School was built shortly after 1874. It was replaced by a new building in 1893. The school building you see today was built in 1968, showing how the school has grown and changed over the years.
Norwood Public Library
The Norwood Public Library was built in 1923. You can find it at 328 Pawtuxet Avenue. It's now a branch of the larger Warwick Public Library system, offering books and resources to everyone in the neighborhood.
Churches and Community Centers
Norwood also has several churches. The first one, St. William's R. C. Church, was started in 1924. Its original building was at 108 Perry Avenue. A new, bigger church was built at 200 Pettaconsett Avenue in 1960. Other churches in Norwood include the Norwood Baptist Church and the Rhode Island Central Korean Church.
A very important place for young people in the neighborhood is the local Boys and Girls Club. It offers a safe and fun place for kids to learn, play, and grow.
Norwood Field
Right in the center of Norwood, you'll find Norwood Field. This is a great place for outdoor activities. It has a baseball diamond for games, a basketball court for shooting hoops, a playground for younger kids, and open grassy areas perfect for running around or relaxing.
Main Roads and Travel
Post Road is the main street that runs through Norwood. It's a busy area with many shops and businesses. Parts of Elmwood Avenue are also developed with commercial buildings. Both Elmwood and Post Road (which is called Broad Street further north) meet about 4.4 miles north of Norwood and continue all the way to downtown Providence. This makes it easy for people in Norwood to travel to the city.
Community Life
The Norwood neighborhood has an active community. The Norwood Neighborhood Association holds its meetings at the Norwood Boys and Girls Club. This association helps bring neighbors together and works to improve the community.
Links
- A gallery of historic Norwood postcards
